More Mayors Are Running for Governor

A decade ago, it was rare for a mayor to run for governor and even when they did, they weren't especially successful. Today, mayors continue to face obstacles when running for governor, ranging from skepticism from rural voters to rivalries between big cities. But a mayor seeking the governorship and winning is not as rare as it once was. In 2018, a strikingly large number of current or former mayors have launched campaigns for governor: close to 20, from cities big and small. In California, for instance, the Democratic primary included not one but two former mayors. Gavin Newsom of San Francisco beat former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and is now expected to win in November.